The auto-racing legend and businessman designed and owned cutting-edge cars raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He became a household name with TV commercials for his STP fuel and oil additives. He was 90.

The auto-racing legend and businessman designed and owned cutting-edge cars raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He became a household name with TV commercials for his STP fuel and oil additives. He was 90. (Associated Press)

The Australian chemist overcame deafness to become one of the first scientists to demonstrate how biological molecules are synthesized, providing a blueprint for future researchers. He was 96.

The Australian chemist overcame deafness to become one of the first scientists to demonstrate how biological molecules are synthesized, providing a blueprint for future researchers. He was 96. (Associated Press)

Kalashnikov created the AK-47, a cheap, simple, rugged assault rifle that became the weapon of choice for more than 50 standing armies as well as drug lords, street gangs, revolutionaries, terrorists, pirates and thugs the world over. He was 94.

Kalashnikov created the AK-47, a cheap, simple, rugged assault rifle that became the weapon of choice for more than 50 standing armies as well as drug lords, street gangs, revolutionaries, terrorists, pirates and thugs the world over. He was 94. (Pat Sullivan / Associated Press)

Not satisfied to be merely a standard-bearer of honky tonk, Price began to experiment by tinkering with rhythm and later even adding lush strings. He reshaped country music with a vibrant new energy that continued long after the 1950s and '60s. He was 87.

Not satisfied to be merely a standard-bearer of honky tonk, Price began to experiment by tinkering with rhythm and later even adding lush strings. He reshaped country music with a vibrant new energy that continued long after the 1950s and '60s. He was 87. (Associated Press)

The Oakland-based radio preacher predicted, several times, exact dates for the end of the world. His Rapture forecasts fizzled, providing fodder for comedians and TV talk show hosts but disappointing his small band of followers. He was 92.

The Oakland-based radio preacher predicted, several times, exact dates for the end of the world. His Rapture forecasts fizzled, providing fodder for comedians and TV talk show hosts but disappointing his small band of followers. He was 92. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Russell, a New York native, is best known for working to get Eisner installed as chief executive of the Walt Disney Co. in 1984. The attorney also served on the entertainment company's board of directors.

“Irwin Russell was a brilliant lawyer, an insightful executive, an eloquent writer and, in all things, a true gentleman," Eisner, who headed Disney until 2005, said in a statement. Russell represented the executive for 40 years.

"He was able to write -- and get all parties to agree to -- a one-page deal, something unheard of in American business. Ethics, doing it right and being fair were embedded in his DNA. This is a deep loss for all of us,” Eisner said.

Russell received an undergraduate degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1947, and graduated from Harvard Law School two years later. He served as an attorney for the National Wage Stabilization Board in the early 1950s.

The attorney moved to Los Angeles in 1971, when he became executive vice president of the Wolper Organization Inc., the company of film and television producer David Wolper.

Other Russell clients included Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss), "The Music Man" actor Robert Preston and Christina Crawford, the daughter of actress Joan Crawford.

In representing Henson, Russell stuck the deal that brought the puppeteer's Muppets characters to "Sesame Street."

"He was a good friend and I'm happy that we were able to keep in touch all these years," actress Carol Burnett said in a statement. "I'll miss him and our frequent conversations. He was a gentleman through and through."

Elmore Leonard, one of America's best known crime novelists, died Tuesday morning due to complications from a stroke, according to Leonard's Facebook page and his longtime researcher at the Detroit News, Gregg Sutter.

Karen Black, a versatile actress whose name became virtually synonymous with films that reflected and helped define America in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including “Five Easy Pieces,” died Thursday in Los Angeles. She was 74.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Tuesday that he wants legislation on his desk by the end of the week to clarify that the state's new religious-freedom law does not allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Nigeria's aviation minister says President Goodluck Jonathan has called challenger Muhammadu Buhari to concede and congratulate him on his electoral victory. This paves the way for a peaceful transfer of power in Africa's richest and most populous nation.